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April 24, 2006

Firsts.

Kate. My sweet Kate. Last week was a week of firsts for her. (Hank and I drove down south to Coronado Island with the kids to spend their vacation time, well, vacationing). Between trips to Sea World, the San Diego Wild Animal Park, and the zoo, we spent time in the water. . .Kate's very first time. And I must admit that she took to the water like a fish. Splashing! Laughing! Splashing! Giggling! It was all so very exciting for her, and it was a mixture of excitement/nostalgia for me.

I always enjoy moments of first-time experiences with my kids, and while I'm always in the present, enjoying the moment as it occurs, a part of me always tries to revel in these experiences as they are so fleeting. Time with my kids as babes is so precious, and so very fleeting. Seeing Kate splash about in Alison's old bathing suit brings me much happiness, and yet, in a way I feel a sweet sense of nostalgia. It wasn't too long ago that Alison was her age, and yep, I blinked, and now she's six. How can that be?

We're back home now, and the house is in a state of disarray. Laundry to be done, souvenirs to be put away, mail to sort through. But that's okay because the kids and I (and Hank) had a damn good time lazing about. And that is what vacation is all about, don't you think?

One of my highlights of the trip was that we were able to spend time with one of my very best friends (Hi Linda!) in San Diego. She and I have been pals since. . . since a long time now. She's a bride-to-be, and I am happily enjoying all of the wedding planning/excitement with her. Her husband-to-be just deployed to Pakistan today (for six months) so I am sure to keep him (and her) in my thoughts and prayers.

********As for the CRAP SWAP...well, I'm trying to coordinate a plan of action for this crap swap as several fellow hoarders crafters have expressed that they too would like to offer their goods up for swapping. But for now, here are just a few of the things that I have up for swap (will post more as time permits)...please read the continued. . .

Watchmakers' Tins I have several sizes of these (the largest is shown in the photo). Interested in swapping for one of these guys?Going, going, gonzo!

Griffin and Sabine Books I have a duplicate set of these guys. I love these books!!! If you're unfamiliar, check 'em out here.These guys have been claimed!

Sounds like you had an amazing vacation!! We're going to Nashville in June for my SIL's wedding ... her fiancee is due to be deployed to Iraq sometime after they're married ... Oy. We're due to spend almost a week in Destin, FL right before the wedding, which I'm really looking forward to ... yea!

that picture of kate is so, so, so lovely... im all melty too! what a sweet girl, so glad you had time to enjoy your babes. it is all going by so fast, but then things stand still for an expression, a casual statment, or a little hug and kiss. what a wonderful journey!

Oh my gosh, that pic of Kate is just too much!!! So cute! I went to Coronado last year and fell in love with it. Just hearing the name made me feel all warm and tingly inside. Needed it too since it was like 42 degrees today here in Chicago - yuck!

Just seeing the picture on flickr was great. But reading the post that goes with it makes me all teary - I can feel Kate looking out the window, looking forward, turning her back on babyhood. Or at least the pre-water part of it.

Hi Leslie! I haven't commented in a while. I'm still getting used to being a mom to 2 kiddos. I don't know how you do it with 3! Those legs...so cute!!! Penelope is now 6 months and my how time goes by so fast.

First, we spent a bliss-filled several days at the Hotel del Coronado in January of 2004 and it was just sublime. Every second in San Diego was marvelous and if we could afford it, we'd move there in a second.

Second, I was just talking last night with the Husband about babies and the difference in my second child and the way I appreciate, now, the babyhood so much more. My daughter was an easy baby and enjoyed everything and meshed so well into our family and my son, who is 15 mos old now, is so different--the second babymoon made me realize how precious and fleeting this time is and how lovely it can all be, even the screamy parts.